Feed through assembly for a formable flat battery

Abstract

A body implantable medical device (IMD) includes a first shell and a second shell whose outer surfaces are biocompatible. The IMD further includes a battery enclosure defined by all or a portion of the first shell of the IMD housing and a cover. The cover of the battery enclosure is disposed between the inner surfaces of the first and second shells, has a greater rigidity than the first shell, and includes an improved feedthrough assembly for an electrochemical cell, such as a flat liquid electrolyte battery, provided in the battery enclosure. Electronic circuitry, supported on a flexible wiring substrate, is provided between the inner surface of the second shell and the cover of the battery enclosure. A hermetic seal is provided between the cover of the battery enclosure and all or a portion of the first shell.

Description

[0001]This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09 / 687,446, filed Oct. 13, 2000, now allowed now U.S. Pat. No. 6,498,951.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to batteries for use with an implantable medical device (IMD). More particularly, the present invention pertains to an integral housing of an implantable medical device for containing a formable flat battery.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]As implantable medical device (IMD) technology advances in an attempt to address a myriad of life sustaining / enhancing needs, issues such as IMD battery longevity, IMD size and shape, IMD mass, and patient comfort remain key considerations in the IMD design process. Much attention is typically placed on the power source of an implantable medical device during the IMD design process. It is appreciated that battery size and capacity, for example, significantly impact the physical configuration of the IMD and the duration of service time within the ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides an improved feedthrough assembly for a flat liquid electrolyte battery in an IMD. The assembly includes a feedthrough pin and a feedthrough tube, which are bonded together using a sealing glass and an insulator cylinder. The feedthrough pin is electrically coupled to an anode assembly, which is also pressed around the insulator tube. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a reliable and efficient electrical connection between the battery and the surrounding components, ensuring proper functionality and reliability of the IMD.

Problems solved by technology

However, reducing IMD battery size results in a corresponding reduction in battery capacity, which necessarily places limits on the ability to make significant battery size reductions using conventional IMD battery design principles.

Although a thoughtful design approach can help to reduce the amount of such dead space, an appreciable volume of space within the IMD typically remains unusable when employing a conventional IMD battery.

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